Nothing compares to the feeling you get after a good night’s sleep. For some, light seeping in from windows can disrupt sleep. Night shift workers in particular are susceptible to disordered sleeping. We tested the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains in our primary bedroom to see how they impacted our sleep and that of our infant daughter. She sleeps next to our bed and naps during the day in our sun-filled bedroom. Read below for more on the effect that blackout curtains had on our rest.
Effectiveness: Best with blackout curtain rod
We wanted a big impact with a patterned curtain that would also help us sleep more soundly in our primary bedroom. We noticed an improvement in our sleep from the first use, especially in our ability to sleep in after sunrise. Our 5-month-old daughter also sleeps in a crib in our room and fell asleep for daytime naps much faster once we started using blackout curtains. The decreased time it took to put our daughter to sleep was the most noticeable and appreciated benefit of these curtains. Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome. We already had a special curtain rod that allowed the blackout curtains to wrap all the way around, blocking out more light. We were curious to see how much of a difference that made so we also tried the curtains in our son’s room, which has a standard curtain rod, for a few days. While it was better than a regular curtain in both cases, it was noticeably more effective when we used the special rod. The top of the curtain is hung using grommets that are 1 5/8 inches in diameter. If you hang your curtains well above the window opening, this should let in minimal light. We hung our curtains just above the window so that they would just brush the floor. We did notice some light coming in from the top of the curtains, even when they were completely closed. It was still less light than when we used non-blackout curtains. We might have benefited more from a different hanging mechanism, such as a rod pocket. Exclusive Home recommends hanging the panels so that they are two or three times the width of the window opening. The extra fabric creates more folds when the curtains hang, even when pulled shut. You may need to purchase additional panels, but more fabric will help block out more light.
Fabric Quality: Heavy and soft
We were pleasantly surprised by the heaviness of the fabric that was used to make the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains. For the budget-friendly price, we were expecting something less substantial. These 100 percent polyester curtains are on the heavier side, which reduces wrinkling and other issues that can come up with flimsier fabrics. They are hand-wash only. But we were happy that we had a sturdy curtain rod that could handle the extra weight. If you plan to use these curtains for a while, we recommend investing in a high-quality curtain rod that won’t sag while keeping them up.
Design: Printed medallion design
The medallion design looked nice without being too busy for our room. We prefer neutral room styling, so we didn’t have a lot of other patterns and prints in our room. These curtains didn’t clash or compete with our decor. We got the curtains in taupe. The contrasting white medallion wasn’t as pronounced as it would be with one of the darker color options. If you like to make a big impact, the white medallion pattern on a dark background would be a great way to do that in your room. The medallions are large scale and uniform throughout the fabric. We would have liked to see other pattern options, especially something that was a smaller scale pattern that we could use in other rooms. The Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains come in 9 colors with the same medallion pattern in white on a solid background.
Price: Great for any room
One of our favorite aspects of the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains was the budget-friendly price. They are sold as a pair, so for $42, you get two panels. Other curtains that we tested cost more than three times that for only one curtain. After testing the high-end blackout curtains, we actually preferred the less expensive Exclusive Home panels for their affordability. While a luxury curtain is nice in some rooms, we would rather spend the same amount of money on panels to outfit all of our rooms with attractive and functional curtains that can block out light and save on energy costs. Using blackout curtains like these are also a great way to make your rooms more energy-efficient, which might end up saving you some money in the long run. Effective blackout thermal curtains will help keep in the warmth during the cold months and block sunlight (and extra heat) during the hotter months.
Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtain vs. Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtain Panels
The Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains are beautiful, made from a luxury linen fabric, and effectively block out light. But they are also very expensive, making them a true luxury item for most buyers. The Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains are also nice and just as effective at blocking out light. If you prefer the more timeless look of Pottery Barn, you’ll be happy with the Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains. But, if you like to include patterns in your decor and want to save some money, the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains are a great choice. Either way, your room will be darker and cooler with these blackout curtains. You can’t go wrong with the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains for their price and effectiveness. As long as you are happy with the large-scale pattern in your decor, you will love these curtains.
